Description
This creamy and flavorful Corn Dip combines cream cheese, sour cream, sweet corn kernels, colorful bell peppers, mild green chilies, and smoky bacon, all seasoned with chili powder and cumin. It’s topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked until bubbly, making a perfect warm appetizer for gatherings and game days.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup sour cream
Main Mix-Ins
- 3 cups corn kernels (thawed or drained)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 4 ounces mild diced green chilies (drained, 1 can)
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Seasonings and Cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Garnish
- Additional corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, cooked bacon, and chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cream the base: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and well combined, forming a creamy base for the dip.
- Add the mix-ins: To the cream mixture, add corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, drained green chilies, cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Spread in dish: Transfer the dip mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish: Once baked, garnish the dip with extra corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, crumbled bacon, and chopped cilantro if desired to add freshness and extra color.
- Serve: Serve the warm corn dip immediately with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- The dip can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated; simply bake before serving.
- For a spicier dip, substitute mild green chilies with hot diced green chilies or add jalapeños.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the bacon and add extra vegetables or beans.
- Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for best melting results and flavor.
- Leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
